Friday, April 22 2011 2 DE projects to receive USDA Rural Development funding Delaware – April 22, 2011 - Delaware’s Congressional Delegation announced two projects in the First State that are receiving funding from USDA Rural Development. The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company will receive a $50,000 grant to purchase wild land firefighting equipment and a utility response vehicle and $2.8-million will go to the MOT Charter school in Middletown to expand its facility with a new 19,000 square foot wing which will include a library and 2 additional classrooms and more. ——————————— NEWS RELEASE: Delaware Delegation Trumpets Federal Support for Local Community and Education Projects to Improve Quality of Life in Delaware WASHINGTON – Today, Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Rep. John Carney (all D-Del.) trumpeted federal support for two projects that will help improve the quality of life in rural communities in Delaware. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development’s Community Facilities Program selected MOT Charter School, Inc., in Middletown, Del., for a $2.8 million Rural Development loan to expand its existing facility by 19,000 square feet. A new wing will include a library, two additional classrooms, a lobby, a multi-purpose area, a booster room and bathrooms. ”In today’s economic reality, schools throughout Delaware and the nation are forced to make tough budget cuts and spending decisions, resulting in inadequate libraries and dilapidated buildings,” said the Delegation. “Delaware’s students and educators deserve better. This loan from the USDA helps MOT Charter School expand and modernize to better meet its growing student body’s educational needs.” “The loan from the USDA has made possible a much needed expansion of the MOT Charter School facility that our school community has been anticipating and working toward for a long time,” said Linda J. Jennings, Head of MOT Charter School. “We are so grateful to Denise MacLeish and her team for the energy and assistance they have provided to us to make this happen.” Additionally, USDA Rural Development selected the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company to receive a $50,000 grant to purchase wild land firefighting equipment and a utility response vehicle. “Every day, the men and women of our fire and emergency service organizations put their lives on the line to protect our communities and our property in Delaware, and it is critically important that we give reliable equipment to ensure that they are safe and that Delawareans throughout the state have access to critical, life-saving services,” said the Delegation. Through the years, Rural Development’s Community Facilities Program has been a vital funding source for many rural communities. The 135 projects in 40 states, Puerto Rico and the Western Pacific are being financed through $234 million in loans and grants from USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Program. Eligible projects include essential community facilities for public use in rural areas such as fire protection, safety, health care, education and many other community needs ——————————— Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Support for Community Projects, Health Care and Education to Improve Quality of Life in Rural America WASHINGTON, April 21, 2011 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced support for projects to improve the quality of life in rural communities across the country. "USDA's support for these projects reflects our commitment to ensuring that rural communities can create jobs, attract businesses and provide necessary services to their residents," Vilsack said. "USDA Rural Development continues to work with rural communities to help them develop quality health care services, modern library facilities and school buildings, and reliable first responder equipment and services to ensure that people who live in rural areas have access to critical infrastructure." The 135 projects in 40 states, Puerto Rico and the Western Pacific are being financed through $234 million in loans and grants from USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities Program. Eligible projects include essential community facilities for public use in rural areas such as fire protection, safety, health care, education and many other community needs. In New Mexico, the EMW Gas Association has been selected for a $5 million loan to expand natural gas distribution to rural residents of Torrance County in the central part of the state. EMW plans to build 29 miles of steel, high-pressured gas pipeline. The construction will provide service to rural customers who currently lack natural gas. The Charles Cole Memorial Hospital in Pennsylvania has been selected for a $2.5 million loan to expand and renovate the emergency department and improve the heating, ventilation and cooling system. Currently, the hospital, which is located in rural Coudersport, Pa., has an open emergency room area and poor ventilation. The renovations will add private emergency rooms, update the facility and provide consistent heating and air conditioning. The M.O.T. Charter School, Inc., in New Castle, Del., has been selected for a $2.8 million Rural Development loan to expand its existing facility by 19,000 square feet. A new wing will include a library, two additional classrooms, a lobby, a multi-purpose area, a booster room, and bathrooms. Through the years, Rural Development's Community Facilities Program has been a vital funding source for many rural communities. For example, in 2010, Rural Development awarded a Recovery Act direct loan and a Recovery Act grant to the Dillon County School Facilities Corporation in South Carolina to finance new construction or renovations for schools in three school districts. The funding is leveraged with $7.5 million from other sources. Dillon County will use the funds to construct a new pre-kindergarten through second grade facility in Latta and a new middle school near Dillon, as well as to renovate and expand an existing high school in Lake View. These new and upgraded facilities will serve more than 4,000 students. A list of Delaware projects that were selected for funding is below. Funding for each project is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement. Delaware • MOT Charter School Inc $2,775,000 direct loan to build a library and classrooms • Indian River Volunteer Fire Company - $50,000 grant to purchase wildland firefighting equipment and a utility response vehicle USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of nearly $149 billion in loans and loan guarantees. Visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov for additional information about the agency's programs or to locate the USDA Rural Development office nearest you.